The specialists at Imprint Enterprises receive calls on a weekly basis from businesses that weren’t prepared to deal with automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) equipment problems. Their barcoding equipment helps processes flow smoothly, keeping inventory flowing in and out. When AIDC equipment breaks, goes missing or doesn’t function properly, everything can come to a grinding halt.
Is your business prepared for when that happens? Because in business, it’s never about if something might happen, it’s a matter of when. And when that something happens, it can negatively impact profits, effectiveness, and productivity. Why risk your barcode labeling assets being the cause of downtime? Do you have a plan in place for when your company’s AIDC equipment and processes interrupt operations?
Take into consideration what your AIDC equipment needs to run at optimal performance. Do you have a management or monitoring system in place already? If you don’t, this is the time to consider what certified AIDC product and solution companies are available.
Preparation is Key
Some businesses are more successful than others at overcoming and minimizing downtime caused by their AIDC equipment and processes. What do successful businesses have that others don’t? They have planning, a budget, and a reputable AIDC product and solution company to help them with asset management and repair. They are prepared for the inevitable, and Imprint Enterprises helps them along the way.
Imprint’s solution is to help their clients be more successful by helping them create and assess plans before their barcode management devices interrupt processes and cause downtime by helping them understand how to perform an assessment of critical equipment, software, and processes.
Review & Document Processes, Creating SOPs
The last thing any business wants is to have its barcode labeling devices disrupt normal business operations, especially if it could have been prevented. Start by assessing the AIDC equipment and processes in your business and identifying potential risk factors. Follow this up with creating an inventory of your assets to better manage them.
Start your assessment by walking through each process from start to finish. Document the key steps, listing all the details. Be as specific and detailed as possible. Knowledge can be lost on how the process works when information is missing.
These are called standard operating procedures (SOPs). Many businesses will have SOPs created while setting up their business. If your business already has SOPs, conduct a review of them to ensure they are up to date. Sometimes, processes are changed and not documented.
Identify what and who is involved in each process. Consider writing the details as though the person reading it is unfamiliar with the process and is helping in a time of crisis. The better the documentation, the better anyone can assist with troubleshooting during downtime.
Proper management of AIDC devices and software helps prevent disruptions and downtime to your critical operations. If you already have equipment and processes defined, inventoried, and managed, it’s always beneficial to go back and review them at regular intervals.
Identify Risks
Identifying potential risks in processes and AIDC equipment is a critical step. These are areas that could be a major problem. It is recommended to obtain differing views from different people because others may consider something that you did not. You can start by asking some of the following questions:
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- What happens if [insert process / AIDC] goes down / missing?
- What is the immediate action I, or a team member, need to take?
- Who is the on-hand expert who can troubleshoot the error/issue?
- If we have no on-hand expert to troubleshoot, who can we contact?
- What do we do if we can’t troubleshoot?
Consider adding the answers to these questions, and other questions you come up with, to your process documentation. For SOPs, you can create a FAQ document to supplement the information contained within the SOPs. Learning about risk management can better inform the type of questions that should be asked to identify risks.
Inventory Your Assets
You can use your newly documented (or reviewed) processes and risk assessments to identify the key AIDC equipment involved, including hardware and software. These assets can range from desktop equipment and machinery to handheld mobile devices and integrated software applications. If you list team members, departments, or staff involved in each process, make sure that names are updated as employees transfer or leave.
Manage Your Assets
While performing an inventory of your assets, consider what needs your AIDC equipment may have. The proper management of your assets starts at the beginning and includes questions such as:
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- Do the hardware or software require updates?
- Does the equipment or network/system application require a backup?
- Do team members need additional training?
- Do you need additional team members to help manage AIDC equipment?
Take into consideration what your AIDC equipment needs to run at optimal performance. Do you have a management or monitoring system in place already? If you don’t, this is the time to consider what certified AIDC product and solution companies are available. Most companies will focus on how much they can upsell your business. A certified company, such as Imprint Enterprises, focuses on building lasting relationships while keeping you and your business in mind.
Imprint is Your AIDC Product and Solution Support
At Imprint Enterprises, business is about the relationship, not the sale. Most other companies are just looking for a big sale without any forethought of the future of your company or barcode labeling equipment and software. Our specialists care about you and your business, minimizing downtime caused by AIDC equipment, which can help minimize emergency expenses and stress.
Stop waiting for something to break before deciding what you need to do. Being proactive is a better business practice in a world of growing e-commerce demands and regulation requirements. Build a plan that works, using a certified AIDC product and solution company you can trust.
Imprint Enterprises is a company that grows with you. We provide your business with a total, competitively priced solution, including premium hardware, software, printing media and supplies, break-fix repairs, and consulting. Our partnership doesn’t end after a single purchase. It is a relationship based on quality and trust that grows with you.
Ensuring the long-term use of your entire barcode labeling system is what makes Imprint Enterprises a Premiere Solution Partner with Zebra and a Platinum Performance Partner with Honeywell. The servicing and proper management of your AIDC equipment helps maintain the integrity of your productivity.
If your business exclusively uses Zebra Genuine Supplies, Zebra Technologies offers unique promotions, such as replacing old, worn-out printheads at no charge when enrolled in the Zebra Printhead Protection Program. From minimizing downtime and printhead costs to upgrading outdated technology, Imprint can help you learn more and make the most of those opportunities.
Contact Imprint Enterprises today to discuss how we can help you minimize downtime.
